Safety Tips

Posted on 15 November 2011

BIG GREEN EGG SAFETY TIPS

PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE ASSEMBLY OR FIRST USE OF YOUR EGG®. KNOWLEDGE OF SAFETY INFORMATION WILL GREATLY ENHANCE YOUR ENJOYMENT AND SAFE USE OF YOUR BIG GREEN EGG! ALSO SEE FIRST TIMER TIPS.

ALWAYS EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN USING ANY HOT COOKING DEVICE. THE EGG, COOKING GRID AND CHARCOAL ARE HOT WHEN IN USE!

ALWAYS USE EXTREME CARE WHEN TRANSPORTING, LOADING OR UNLOADING AN EGG AS THE PRODUCT IS HEAVY AND PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE CAN OCCUR IF DROPPED OR TIPPED OVER.

EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN HANDLING AN EGG TO AVOID ANY INJURY FROM METAL PARTS OR HOT SURFACES.

NEVER ATTEMPT TO PULL, ROLL OR MOVE A HOT EGG – CAUTION! COALS ARE HOT WHEN IN USE AND MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY OR PROPERTY DAMAGE IF EGG IS TIPPED OVER.

PLACE AND USE YOUR EGG IN A SAFE and LEVEL SPOT
DO NOT place an EGG on a slope, uneven deck surface or under low trees or branches or in any area where it can be knocked or tipped over. Use the locking casters on the Nest wheels once the EGG is moved into position to help keep it in place. NEVER attempt to move your EGG while in use or when the charcoal is hot! NEVER use the handle, mates, nest or hinge assembly as a personal support or grab-handle!

Periodically check the nuts and bolts for tightness and alignment. If you roll or move your EGG frequently, check the casters, Nest and Handler bolts more often to maintain proper performance and alignment.

The band hardware should be checked after assembly, and again as needed to prevent any dome to base misalignment. Checking the tightness of these fittings after the first few uses is highly recommended, along with a rechecking at least once a year.

Band and Hinge assembly should be checked regularly for proper operation and tightness.

PULL DON’T PUSH
When moving your EGG in the metal Nest, place both hands on the Nest or Handler and pull the cool EGG behind you. Do not push it ahead of you. The Nest or Handler ARE NOT designed to roll over uneven surfaces or terrain such as gravel, or to be rolled on soft soil or grass. Always make sure you have stable footing and have somebody helping if necessary. Do not attempt to move an EGG unless it is completely cool and does not have any hot charcoal inside.

AVOID BACKDRAFTS or FLASHBACK
Once an EGG is lit, always carefully vent or “burp” it before opening the dome fully by cracking it slowly a few times about an inch or two first – this allows the incoming air to enter slowly and helps avoid a flashback. Use extra caution when opening a hot EGG with closed vents, as the sudden rush of air can cause a dangerous flare up. If you have a flame flare-up – quickly close the lid and the air vents to control the flame, and use extreme caution when re-opening your EGG. It is always advisable to wear heat resistant gloves, and to take care to protect yourself. DO NOT allow children to play near a hot EGG or to open the dome!

LIFT or REMOVE the COOKING GRID with the Grill Gripper
Use the specially designed BGE Grill Gripper or Grid Lifter to pick up and lift hot cooking grids. Hold the Gripper so that one prong grips the cooking grid from underneath. If you try to grip from directly above the grill you won’t have enough cantilever force to lift it. ALWAYS use a heat protective glove when handling any parts of an EGG while in use!

DO NOT attempt to remove or adjust Firebox when it ishot or contains any warm charcoal, and DO NOT attempt to remove any lit charcoal from the Firebox. The internal ceramics will remain very hot for long periods. Caution – Handle with Care.

DO NOT look down into the top vent when the EGG is in use or if the charcoal is lit. This is dangerous behavior. Hot air can burn or singe you, and can cause injury.

DO USE CAUTIONwhen touching the exterior of an EGG – exterior surfaces are HOT when in use. Always keep children, pets, and combustible items away from your EGG.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO COOK with the Dual-Function Metal cap removed.
Your EGG will accelerate to very hot temperatures quickly and you cannot control temperature without the multi-adjustable cap in place. NEVER leave an EGG unattended with the cap removed!

IF YOU REMOVE THE SLIDING DOOR and safety screen completely, the correct reassembly order is the sliding screen first, with two tabs facing to your left; then the solid sliding door placed so it slides on top of the screen (not behind it) with the single tab located to your right. The only time the screen itself needs to be opened all the way to the right would be when EGG is cool, to remove ash. Keep screen in place, all the way to left, when EGG is in use. Position of the solid door, not the screen, controls airflow – and the patented screen provides a spark arrestor and safety feature. Always handle everything carefully as the metal tabs and metal screen may have sharp edges, and only remove or reassemble draft door when it is completely cool.

DO periodically check the nuts and bolts for tightness and alignment. If you roll or move your EGG frequently, check the casters, Nest and Handler bolts more often to maintain proper performance and alignment. The band hardware should be checked after assembly, and again as needed to prevent any dome to base misalignment. Checking the tightness of these fittings after the first few uses is highly recommended, along with a rechecking at least once a year. Band and Hinge assembly should be checked regularly for proper operation and tightness.

DO NOT place the EGG directly on the ground, on wood or in proximity to combustible ground cover such as leaves or other potential fire hazards. If tailgating or picnicking, do not attempt to use an EGG while it is inside a vehicle.

DO NOT open the dome fully and leave unattended if high winds are present. Wind gusts can spread hot charcoal or cinders, creating a fire hazard, and in extreme cases a gust of high wind may cause the dome to tip backward, possibly causing damage or injury. Always exercise caution in these conditions.

DO USE extreme caution when HANDLING OR removing hot cooking surfaces including the cooking grid, convEGGtor (plate setter) or pizza/baking stone from your EGG. The metal cooking grid and ceramics will be extremely hot. Take care to place them somewhere where they can’t burn anyone or come into contact with combustible surfaces. Always use protective gloves and gripping tools to avoid burns. Always exercise caution and keep children, pets and clothing away from an EGG while in use.

NEVER use WATER to extinguish CHARCOAL IN AN EGG
Simply close both air vents and it will extinguish itself – place ceramic cap on top and slide lower draft door to tightly closed position. Use extreme caution when re-opening the dome unless the EGG is completely cool as the rush of air can re-ignite the charcoal.

NEVER USE LIGHTER FLUID OR ANY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN AN EGG
Big Green Egg Natural Organic Lump Charcoal lights easily when using our All Natural SpeediLight Fire Starters or Electric Fire Starter for best results. NEVER use charcoal briquettes, lighter fluids or any flammable liquids in your EGG. This may void the Warranty, and will certainly make your food taste bad!

DO NOT PLACE ANY EGG directly on a wood surface or on or near any combustible surface! The bottom of the ceramic vessel does generate significant heat when in use, and may cause combustion if placed directly on – or in proximity to – any combustible material.

DO NOT USE A TABLE NEST TO SUPPORT AN EGG UNLESS THE EGG IS HOUSED WITHIN A TABLE OR AN ISLAND OR OTHER CUSTOM SURROUND!

THE LOW-PROFILE TABLE NEST IS NOT DESIGNED OR INTENDED AS A FREE-STANDING SUPPORT for your EGG, and the EGG can tip over if not supported properly.

Only the Mini and MiniMax have a low-profile Nest designed to be used as a free-standing base.

THE EGG IS DESIGNED TO BE USED IN A METAL NEST OR WITH A METAL TABLE NEST, PROVIDING AN AIR GAP BELOW THE EGG – however you must exercise caution and not place an EGG directly over combustible material such as ground cover or an extremely dry wood surface even if using a Table Nest.

Although a concrete paver block (non-porous) or granite tile can be used to support the EGG when housed in a table or built-in, it is recommended that these be sufficiently thick for proper heat protection.

For optimum heat protection, a Metal Table Nest placed over a granite tile may be used in combination – this is suggested if the EGG is placed over a wood surface and is routinely used for long cooks or high temperature cooking. A granite tile is typically not very thick, and will not affect overall height significantly when used with a Metal Table Nest.

PERIODICALLY CHECK THE AREA DIRECTLY BELOW THE EGG to ensure that over time there is no deterioration on the surface under the EGG due to heat transfer.

IF THE EGG IS INSTALLED IN A TABLE OR ISLAND, IT IS IMPORTANT TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE AREA AROUND THE SIDES OF THE EGG to ensure that over time there is no deterioration of any surface adjacent to the EGG due to heat transfer.

THERE MUST BE A SUFFICIENT AIR GAP AROUND THE SIDES OF AN EGG IF INSTALLED IN A TABLE OR BUILT IN! Check this area frequently for any signs of heat transfer.

Always close both vents fully upon conclusion of cooking to cut off air supply and prevent the EGG from reaching extreme temperatures.

CAUTION – ALWAYS BE AWARE of Fire Hazards
Do not leave a lit EGG with the dome open if it is unattended. Be aware of dry leaves, decking and other combustible materials that may be in proximity to an EGG while it is in use, as they may present a fire hazard if any hot charcoal or sparks are allowed to come into contact. Do be aware of your surroundings if using an EGG or while camping or on cookouts, as any open flame can present a hazard to people and property. Do not allow the bottom of an EGG to come in contact with any combustible surface.

NEVER ATTEMPT TO ROLL OR MOVE A HOT EGG.

CAUTION, COALS ARE HOT WHEN IN USE AND MAY CAUSE INJURY IF EGG IS TIPPED OVER.

DO BE AWARE THAT LOCAL ORDINANCES MAY SPECIFY A DISTANCE TO PLACE ANY OUTDOOR COOKER AWAY FROM A STRUCTURE, or may limit outdoor flame of any type during drought or fire hazard periods.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO LIGHT OR USE AN EGG INDOORS WITHOUT SUFFICIENT VENTILATION! INDOOR USE IS RECOMMENDED ONLY FOR APPROVED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH BUILDING CODES WHERE VENTING AND FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEMS ARE PRESENT!

DO NOT attempt to light or use an EGG near or inside any structure or storage area that may contain combustible materials. The EGG must always be placed outdoors with adequate air circulation, and away from structures and NEVER inside or in close proximity to an enclosed area or inside a vehicle.

DO NOTplace an EGG inside any structure or storage area that may contain combustible materials even if the EGG is not in use if the coals are still hot. The EGG must always be placed outdoors with adequate air circulation, and away from structures and NEVER inside an enclosed area until it is completely cool.

CAUTION — smoldering charcoal will emit carbon monoxide which is extremely dangerous! Never place an EGG with hot or smoldering charcoal inside a structure where people or pets are present – even if the air flow controls are shut. Allow the EGG to cool completely before moving into indoor storage.

The Big Green EGG is extremely safe and hazard free when used as intended and according to safety guidelines, and will provide years of trouble free use and enjoyment.

It is the user’s responsibility to MAINTAIN SAFE OPERATION of the EGG AND to exercise REASONABLE STANDARDS OF CARE AND CAUTION at all times.

ALWAYS USE EXTREME CARE WHEN MOVING, LOADING or UNLOADING AN EGG AS PRODUCT IS HEAVY AND INJURY OR DAMAGE CAN OCCUR IF DROPPED. EXERCISE CAUTION WHEN HANDLING, LOADING/UNLOADING AN EGG TO AVOID ANY INJURY FROM METAL PARTS.

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO ROLL OR MOVE A HOT EGG – CAUTION, COALS ARE HOT WHEN IN USE AND MAY CAUSE INJURY IF EGG IS TIPPED OVER.